How to Clean White Golf Shoes and Keep Them Looking New

← Golf Equipment | Golf Accessories & Apparel

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Quick Answer

• Hit ’em with a soft brush and a mild soap solution for everyday grime.
• For stubborn spots, a magic eraser or a dedicated golf shoe cleaner is your friend.
• Always air dry. Keep ’em away from heat, always.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who like their kicks looking sharp, no matter the course.
• Anyone who’s battled grass stains and scuffs and wants a solid game plan.

What to Check First When Cleaning White Golf Shoes

• Material Matters: Is your shoe leather, synthetic, or canvas? This is key to picking the right cleaner.
• Manufacturer’s Word: Your shoe’s tag or manual has the inside scoop on what they can handle. Always check it.
• Gather Your Arsenal: You’ll need a soft-bristle brush, a mild soap (dish soap works great), a couple of clean cloths, and some warm water.

Step-by-Step Plan to Keep Your White Golf Shoes Looking Fresh

• Action: Start by pulling out the laces and insoles.
• What to look for: Give them a quick once-over for any tears or excessive wear. This is also your prime opportunity for a truly deep clean of the shoe’s interior.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to remove them. Seriously, you’ll miss spots and it won’t be a full clean. It’s just lazy.
• Action: Knock off the loose dirt and debris.
• What to look for: Dry mud, grass clippings, dust – anything sitting on the surface. Use a dry brush to get the bulk of it off before you get anything wet.
• Mistake to avoid: Brushing too aggressively. You can easily scuff or damage delicate materials if you go at it like you’re scrubbing a grill. Ease up.
• Action: Mix up your cleaning solution.
• What to look for: A simple concoction of mild soap (like a drop of dish soap) and warm water. Keep it basic, keep it effective.
• Mistake to avoid: Reaching for harsh chemicals or bleach. Trust me, that’s a one-way ticket to discoloration and material breakdown. Not worth the risk.
• Action: Gently scrub the shoes.
• What to look for: Watch the dirt lift away. Use your damp cloth or soft brush, working in small, circular motions. Pay attention to any seams or textured areas.
• Mistake to avoid: Soaking the shoes. You want them damp, not waterlogged. Too much water can weaken the glue and materials.
• Action: Rinse and wipe down.
• What to look for: Ensure all soap residue is gone. Use a clean cloth dampened with plain water to wipe away the suds.
• Mistake to avoid: Leaving soap film behind. It’ll just attract more dirt and leave a hazy look. Nobody wants that.
• Action: Tackle tough stains.
• What to look for: For grass stains or scuffs that didn’t budge with soap, try a magic eraser or a specialized golf shoe cleaner. Apply sparingly and work gently.
• Mistake to avoid: Scrubbing too hard with an abrasive cleaner. You can still damage the finish if you’re not careful.
• Action: Clean the laces and insoles.
• What to look for: Hand wash these in your soapy solution. Give them a good scrub, especially the insoles where sweat tends to hang out.
• Mistake to avoid: Just tossing them aside. They need cleaning too, and they’ll hold onto funk if you skip ’em.
• Action: Air dry your kicks.
• What to look for: Make sure they are completely dry before you put them back on the course. Stuff them with paper towels to help them keep their shape and absorb any lingering moisture.
• Mistake to avoid: The dryer or direct heat. Never, ever put golf shoes in a dryer or near a heater. You’ll warp the structure and ruin the adhesives. Patience is key here.

How to Clean White Golf Shoes: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Mistake: Using harsh chemicals or bleach.
• Why it matters: These can strip the color from your shoes, weaken the materials, and leave them looking faded and worn out, even if they’re technically “clean.” You paid good money for those kicks.
• Fix: Always opt for mild soap and water or cleaners specifically formulated for golf shoes. They’re designed to be effective without being destructive.
• Mistake: Machine washing or drying.
• Why it matters: The aggressive tumbling and heat of washing machines and dryers can warp the shoe’s structure, break down adhesives, and generally turn your pristine golf shoes into misshapen messes. It’s a quick way to ruin them.
• Fix: Hand wash and air dry only. It takes a little more effort and time, but your shoes will thank you.
• Mistake: Soaking the shoes for extended periods.
• Why it matters: While you want to get them clean, drowning your shoes can degrade the materials over time, particularly the adhesives that hold them together. It can also lead to water stains if not dried properly.
• Fix: Use a damp cloth and targeted scrubbing. Focus on cleaning the soiled areas rather than submerging the entire shoe.
• Mistake: Not cleaning the laces and insoles separately.
• Why it matters: These parts of the shoe accumulate just as much dirt, sweat, and odor as the uppers. Neglecting them means your shoes won’t truly be clean or fresh.
• Fix: Hand wash your laces and insoles in your mild soap solution. Let them air dry completely before reassembling.
• Mistake: Using a stiff-bristled brush on delicate materials.
• Why it matters: A brush that’s too stiff can easily scratch, scuff, or even tear softer materials like leather or fine synthetics. You might be cleaning, but you’re also damaging.
• Fix: Always use a soft-bristled brush or a clean microfiber cloth for the main body of the shoe. A stiffer brush can be used for the soles, but be gentle on the uppers.
• Mistake: Forgetting to clean the soles and cleats.
• Why it matters: Dirt and mud packed into the soles and cleats can affect traction and grip, and they also look pretty rough. Plus, they can track dirt onto other surfaces.
• Fix: Use a more robust brush (like an old toothbrush) and your cleaning solution to get into all the nooks and crannies of the sole. Rinse thoroughly to remove all debris.
• Mistake: Not drying shoes properly after cleaning.
• Why it matters: Damp shoes can develop mildew and unpleasant odors. If you stuff them with newspaper, the ink can transfer to the inside of your shoes.
• Fix: Stuff shoes with plain white paper towels or shoe trees to absorb moisture and help them maintain their shape. Ensure they are completely dry before storing or wearing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning White Golf Shoes

• How often should I clean my white golf shoes?
• It’s a good habit to give your shoes a quick brush down with a dry brush after every round to remove loose dirt and grass. For a more thorough cleaning, aim for every 3-4 rounds, or whenever they start to look noticeably dingy or stained. Regular light cleaning prevents dirt from setting in.
• What is the best way to remove grass stains from white golf shoes?
• For grass stains, try making a paste with baking soda and a little water. Apply it directly to the stain, let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft brush. For tougher stains, a magic eraser can work wonders, but use it gently. Always rinse thoroughly afterward.
• Can I use baby wipes to clean my white golf shoes?
• Yes, baby wipes can be a handy tool for quick touch-ups between rounds or for wiping away light dirt and scuffs. They contain mild cleaning agents. However, they are not a substitute for a proper cleaning with soap and water, especially for deeper dirt or tougher stains.
• Can I use toothpaste to clean white golf shoes?
• Some people find success using non-gel white toothpaste for minor scuffs and stains, particularly on white rubber or synthetic parts. Apply a small amount to a soft brush, gently scrub the affected area, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. It’s always a good idea to test this on an inconspicuous spot first.
• How do I clean the soles and cleats of my white golf shoes?
• The soles and cleats can handle a bit more scrubbing. Use your mild soap and water solution with a stiffer brush, like an old toothbrush or a dedicated sole brush, to get into the grooves and remove packed-in dirt and mud. Rinse them thoroughly to ensure no residue remains, as this can affect grip.
• What should I do if my white golf shoes have yellowed over time?
• Yellowing can happen due to oxidation or UV exposure. For mild yellowing, a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide might help. Apply it, let it sit in the sun for a few hours (the sun can help activate the peroxide), then scrub gently and rinse. For more severe yellowing, it might be permanent, and specialized shoe cleaners designed to combat yellowing could be tried, but results vary.
• Can I use shoe polish on my white golf shoes?
• Generally, no. Traditional shoe polish is designed for leather and can leave a waxy residue or alter the color of synthetic or canvas golf shoes. If you need to restore color or cover scuffs on white shoes, look for white shoe creams or paints specifically designed for footwear, and always test in a hidden area first.